Two cases of non-native scorpion introduction in Bermuda

 

The island of Bermuda has no native scorpions, but as for other countries lacking our favorite animal groups, they do get introduced stowaways. Danniella Sherwood and co-workers recently reported about two cases of introduced scorpions to the island, a Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) (Buthidae) and a unidentified species in the genus Hadruroides Pocock, 1893 (Caraboctonidae).

Even though we love scorpions, it is important that stowaways like this are intercepted to avoid more permanent populations to keep the endemic and native fauna safe.

Abstract:
Hadruroides sp. (Scorpiones: Caraboctonidae) is newly recorded as a successfully intercepted non-native invasive species in Bermuda, based on examination of a desiccated and damaged immature female specimen. A second record of an intercepted Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is reported based on examination of an adult male.

Reference:
Sherwood D, Outerbridge M, Smith SR, Gosling J, Darrell M. Tails from the Isle of Devils: two new records of non-native invasive scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) successfully intercepted in Bermuda, including the first record of Caraboctonidae. Euscorpius. 2026(435):1–3. [Open Access]

Updated records of scorpion stowaways discovered in United Kingdom

 

In 2023, Daniella Sherwood and Luis de Armas published an article presenting old and new records of scorpions detected as stowaways in the United Kingdom. In a recent article, Daniella Sherwood and co-workers present updated information on scorpion stowaways discovered in the UK.

Abstract:
No abstract.

Reference:
Sherwood D, De Armas L, Tchilinguirian J. Additions to the list of scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) intercepted as stowaways in the United Kingdom. Newsletter of the British Arachnological Society. 2024(161):3-5. [Access supplied by authors]

Thanks to Daniella for sending me link to the article!

New records of scorpion stowaways discovered in United Kingdom

 

It is well known that scorpions occasionally are discovered in areas and countries where they do not belong. These are usually accidental introductions from holiday luggage and shipments of goods. In most cases these scorpions will not be established in their new country. 

Daniella Sherwood and Luis de Armas have recently published an article presenting old and new records of scorpions detected as stowaways in the United Kingdom.

Abstract:
Previous and new records of scorpions detected as stowaways in the United Kingdom are presented and discussed. Five taxa are recorded in the scientific literature for the first time: Centruroides insulanus (Thorell, 1876, Centruroides sp. (nigrovariatus species group), Hottentotta cf. tamulus (Fabricius, 1798), Mesobuthus sp. and Cercophonius squama (Gervais, 1844). Also, we discuss a sixth undeterminable scorpion of which only a single photograph was available.

Reference:
Sherwood D, de Armas LF. Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) as stowaways accidently imported into The United Kingdom. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2023(42):209-13. [Full text supplied by author]

Thanks to Daniella for sending me this article!

The genus Hottentotta may have become established in Spain

 

Non-native species have been reported from many countries, but most of these are introduced and usually have not become established a a viable population. Spain are known for several introduced species, most notable the buthid Centruroides gracilis (Latreille, 1804) in the island Tenerife that seems to be an established population.

Rolando Teruel and Carlos Turiel now report of several findings of the African species Hottentotta hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787) (Buthidae) from northwestern Spain. The independent findings of three live, female specimens from two different locations may suggest that this species have become established in this part of Spain. 

Hottentotta hottentotta is an ideal candidate for colonization as its widespread distribution in tropical West Africa indicates a species with high ecological plasticity. In addition, the species is known for the ability to asexual reproduction by parthenogenesis.

It will be interesting to see if there will be further findings that can confirm the occurrence of this genus in Spain and in Europe.

Abstract:
The present note reports on the occurrence of the buthid scorpion Hottentotta hottentotta (Fabricius, 1787) at two localities in north-western Spain: Nieves (Galicia) and Gijon (Asturias). This species is markedly synanthropic and native to western Africa, where it is widespread and consists largely of parthenogentic populations. The finding of three live adult females independently at two different localities , but within the same geographical region (The Iberian northwest), suggests that this species could have successfully become established here. Spain now harbours four introduced species: one confirmed as established and two others seemingly so as well.

Reference:
Teruel R, Turiel C. "New kid on the block": The West African scorpion Hottentotta hottentotta (Frabricius, 1787) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) may have become established in Spain. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2021(39):107-9.

Thanks to Rolando, Carlos and Luis for all sending me this article!

Surprise! Euscorpius naupliensis has been found in Azerbaijan

Tropea and Lourenco have recently published a very surprising finding of Euscorpius naupliensis (C. L. Koch, 1837) (Euscorpiidae) in Azerbaijan. This species is normally found in Peloponnese in  southern Greece and in adjacent Zakynthos and Peluzo islands. The findings in Azerbaijan are probably due to recent introductions and it is unclear if the species has established a breeding population there.

Abstract:
Euscorpius (Polytrichobothrius) naupliensis (C. L. Koch, 1837) is recorded in Azerbaijan. For the first time this species is registered outside its natural range.

Reference:
Tropea G, Lourenco WR. First record of Euscorpius naupliensis (C. L. Koch, 1837) outside of its natural range (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Arachnida - Rivista Aracnologica Italiana. 2018;4(19):22-6.

Thanks to Gioele Tropea for sending me his article!

A scorpion from Guatemala on a visit to England

Scorpions sneaking into luggage, goods etc. and ending up as stowaways in non-scorpion countries is quite common. Several cases have been documented in journals and newspapers. A recent case from England was published by Rony E. Trujillo and co-workers. In this case, a female Centruroides thorellii (Kraepelin, 1891) (Buthidae) from Guatemala was found in the luggage of a family in England (that recently had visited Guatemala).

Abstract:
We recorded a pregnant female of the Central American bark stripped scorpion Centruroides thorellii (Kraepelin, 1891), which arrived to England as a stowaway in the bag of a woman that previously visited the Departments of Sacatepéquez, Sololá and San Marcos, Guatemala. On January 2, this C. thorellii female had a litter of three off-spring and three infertile eggs, but she has eaten them, probably as consequence of the stress caused by the hard travel and the environmental changes. We provide a map with the geographical distribution of this species and photos of the female detected in a British train.

Reference:
Trujillo RE, De Armas LF, Mansfield D. Centruroides thorellii (Scorpiones: Buthidae): Traveling from Guatemala to England Without a Passport. Euscorpius. 2017(239):1-4. [Open Access]

Thanks to Rony E. Trujillo for sending me his paper!

Mexican scorpion found in Spain

Ronaldo Teruel and Gabriel de Biurrun Baquedano recently reported about the findings of a specimen of Vaejovis mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Buthidae) in Bidaurreta, Northern Spain. Interestingly, this species was also found in Norway in 2009 (Teruel & Rein, 2009). The latter was a stowaway and the cause for its appearance in cold Norway was discovered. The finding of the Spanish specimen is more of a mystery and no explanation for its appearance has been found.

Abstract:
A live specimen of the North American scorpion Vaejovis mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Vaejovidae) was found in Bidaurreta, a small town of Navarra, northern Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of the species from Spain and the second from Europe.

Reference:
Teruel R, de Biurrun Baquedano G. Primer registro del escorpión Norteamericano Vaejovis Mexicanus C. L. Koch, 1836 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) en España. Revista Iberica de Arachnologia. 2015 (27):124-6.

Thanks to Dr. Rolando Teruel for sending me his article!